Wisconsin homeowners prepare for flooding during rapid thaw; travelers also at risk

Wisconsinites are swapping their snow boots for rain boots and their shovels for sandbags this week.

Officials are preparing residents statewide to expect flooding and the consequences that come with it, a result of snowstorms in January and February that dropped more snow than usual on Wisconsin.

The state is under a flood watch through Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Ashwaubenon. Temperatures into the 40s and 50s and more than an inch of rain, paired with an unusually snowy winter, will cause the feet of snow still left on the ground to melt rapidly.

Flooding happens virtually every spring, said Jeff Last, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The concern this year is how quickly everything is going to melt.

Because the ground is still frozen, water won't be able to sink into the soil. Instead, it will pool up or run into nearby rivers and streams.

"The threat for minor to moderate flooding is higher than usual," Last said. "The probability of river flooding is higher than typical spring as well."

Areas in central and northern Wisconsin, where a lot of snow is left on the ground, are at the highest risk for flooding, Last said.

Protect your homes and yourself

Homeowners across the state are getting ready to deal with the flooding.

Jennifer Travis, who lives in Oshkosh, said her home's foundation leaks every spring. To try to minimize the damage, she adds dirt around her foundation and has extended her gutters farther from the house.

"I haven't been unfortunate enough to have had enough (water) in my house that it warranted throwing stuff out," Travis said.

Matt Cormier said the backyard of his Green Bay home floods every spring. Water runs from his neighbor's property and gathers in shin-high puddles in his yard, he said.

The water has never gotten into Cormier's house, but there's not much he can do to stop his yard from flooding.

"Might fill some tubes up and have a cocktail party on the water, though, this year," he joked.

To protect homes from flooding, the National Weather Services advises homeowners to:

Clear snow from around the home's foundation, at least 3 to 4 feet.

Remove snow from storm drains and fire hydrants.

Clear snow and ice from gutters, downspouts and over entrances to the home.

Check to make sure your sump pump is working and the discharge line is clear and thawed.

Clear snow off the roof with an aluminum rake.

The state Department of Emergency Management is working with local police agencies and municipalities to make sure residents stay safe during the flooding.

Lori Getter, the department's crisis communications manager, said the state is providing sandbags for municipalities. Residents needing sandbags should monitor local media to see if and where sandbags may be available, Getter said.

The department has also been monitoring river and stream levels, and encouraging homeowners who live near water to consider buying flood insurance if they don't already have it.

Getter and other authorities urged people to use caution while traveling.

The Marathon County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday morning that some roadways were covered in black ice, while others had flooded over. Some puddles were up to 10 inches deep.

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High temperatures and rain left big puddles on South 50th Avenue in Wausau Tuesday afternoon.(Photo: Natalie Brophy/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Getter said if drivers come across flooded roads, they need to turn around or find a different route. Fast moving water can sweep a car off the road. A 70-year-old Dane County man died over the summer after he got swept up in flood waters trying to get out of his car.